Inverloch 3996 caught up with Emma Davey earlier this week - owner of Nest Giftware & Gallery tucked away neatly behind Dirty Three Wines in Cashin Street. If you haven't visited Nest yet, you are in for a special treat. Nest is a veritable smorgasbord of all things delightful, an Aladdin's cave of unusual and unique pieces curated by Emma Davey & her faithful assistant Coco Chanel.

How long have you been in Inverloch and what was the appeal of the town when moving here?

We've been in Inverloch for three years now. My husband had a job interview at Burra foods so we headed to South Gippsland for the weekend to check it out. After looking around many different places in the area, we drove to Inverloch and we both just knew. We love living in Inverloch, not only because it's such a beautiful place, but also because it's a small town with a passion for all that is homegrown, sustainable and community-orientated.

We loved the unique pottery on display here

What Inspired You To Start Your Own Business?

I've always been a big dreamer. One day I sat back and realised all I had been doing for twenty years was actually building others' dreams. I already had two small businesses, as I am also a marriage Celebrant and attended markets selling my vinyl artwork. A retail shop had been a long time dream of mine, and after finding ourselves in Inverloch (my own nest now empty) and with encouraging words from my family and friends I decided to take the plunge. I know it sounds corny but little signs kept popping up everywhere, this one being my favourite

" What if I fail? Oh but my darling, what if you fly?"

Little Puddles hand-made baubles

How do you choose the pieces for Nest?

I love to support local and when I was opening up Nest I was lucky to have a lot of amazing shakers and makers in mind, that I had met through the market scene. I don't tend to go to Trade Fairs as my vision has never been mainstream. My taste is quirky and unique and I love showing customers things they haven't seen before.

Suck - mixtape USB Sticks

Has the local business community been supportive of your venture?

Yes, they've been very supportive. We have lots of customers coming into Nest telling me they've been sent by another local business or the information centre. Plus I have the best neighbours in the world! Being nestled behind Dirty Three Wines has been wonderful. We both support each other and create a lovely space for visitors.

These Little Treasures dolls made in Inverloch

You have a great online store as well as this great space - where would you say the majority of your customers come from?

The Nest online store is still relatively new so we are still working on building that up. My support comes from the locals and of course over summer we enjoy having all the holiday makers in our store.

Fred - tea infusers

What is your favourite thing in Nest at present?

Most definitely the jewelry range by Karen Walker. Karen Walker is New Zealand's best known fashion designer with her designs being worn all over the world. Not only do I adore her eccentrically elegant style, but I feel very blessed to have her brand in Nest.

Ruby Olive Jewellery

Rumour has it that you are a bit of a creative yourself - what items have been influences / made by yourself?

Hee Hee, maybe. I am also Emmy Lou Who - this is my Emmy Lou story. " Inspired by an affectionate nickname given to her as a young girl by her mother Anna, Emmy Lou who is a master of manipulating vinyl records into brilliant new pieces - artwork, notebooks, speakers, clocks... you name it! After loosing her mum in 2014, Emmy Lou spent months on a special project for her family - a book on their mother's life, featuring groovy recycled vinyl records. the records reflected Anna's love of music and the family's memories of her carefully created record collection, which helped Anna get through some very hard times.

Emmy Lou Who - Vinyl Art Notebooks

Describe the perfect Inverloch day?

When you live somewhere that you can manage to look around you at least once a day and say " I am so grateful to live in such a beautiful place" - well then, I think that is a perfect day. My friend and I go out walking in the mornings and we often stop and say exactly that!

Visitors to Nest are greeted by the charming "Coco Chanel"

Inverloch's Very Own Man Cave!

We were blown away by this section ! buying for the man in your life no longer needs to be a struggle - everything you need is here! Everything!